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HANDCARTZ.COM
M1 WHEELED MACHINE GUN MOUNT
Page 4
THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL
May-June 1930
Article: THE FIELD ARTILLERY BOARD
Source: FANMAG
Link to. PDF page 4
May-June 1930
Article: THE FIELD ARTILLERY BOARD
Source: FANMAG
Link to. PDF page 4
Wheeled Machine Gun Mount M1. Test awaiting receipt of material. Probable date of completion September 30,1930
Page 4
THE FIELD ARTILLER JOURNAL
Sept-Oct 1930
Article: Field Artillery notes
Source: FANMAG
Link to PDF page 4
Sept-Oct 1930
Article: Field Artillery notes
Source: FANMAG
Link to PDF page 4
New Anti-Aircraft Sight for Machine Guns Developed
The Chief of Infantry announce that, after two years of experimenting and development, tentative regulations governing Infantry anti-aircraft machine-gun training methods have been issued to twelve Infantry regiments for exhaustive tests and recommendations as to their efficiency. During the two years' study on the subject, it has been necessary to develop an anti-aircraft sight and also an adapter for the machine gun that would enable a gunner quickly to lay his gun on a low-flying aerial target, and then permit his following the target in its flight.
This anti-aircraft sight was developed at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, by two Infantry officers - Major Leonard R. Boyd and 1st Lieut. Joseph I. Greene. and is known as the boyd-greene sight. It is simply constructed and is apparently rugged enough to withstand service in the field. These sights also have been issued to twelve regiments to be tested with tentative regulations. The results of the test will be followed with great interest by the entire army.
The Chief of Infantry announce that, after two years of experimenting and development, tentative regulations governing Infantry anti-aircraft machine-gun training methods have been issued to twelve Infantry regiments for exhaustive tests and recommendations as to their efficiency. During the two years' study on the subject, it has been necessary to develop an anti-aircraft sight and also an adapter for the machine gun that would enable a gunner quickly to lay his gun on a low-flying aerial target, and then permit his following the target in its flight.
This anti-aircraft sight was developed at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, by two Infantry officers - Major Leonard R. Boyd and 1st Lieut. Joseph I. Greene. and is known as the boyd-greene sight. It is simply constructed and is apparently rugged enough to withstand service in the field. These sights also have been issued to twelve regiments to be tested with tentative regulations. The results of the test will be followed with great interest by the entire army.
THE FIELD ARTILLERY JOURNAL
Nov-Dec 1930
Article: Anti-Aircraft defense
By Lieut. R.C. Oliver, F.A.
Source: FANMAG
Link to PDF
Nov-Dec 1930
Article: Anti-Aircraft defense
By Lieut. R.C. Oliver, F.A.
Source: FANMAG
Link to PDF
The Infantry Board had to start at rock-bottom. First: it accepted a crude but feasible invention of a young Infantry
officer for a mobile machine gun mount for the heavy Browning machine gun and developed is so that with a
suitable adapter-arm for high angle fire, an inverted tank shoulder rest attached to the pistol grip of the gun, a highly
satisfactory anti-aircraft weapon resulted. (see Illustrations 1 and 2, Mathews mount).
FIGURE No.1:
A-WHEELS DETACHABLE IN THREE SECONDS FOR GROUND USE.
B-ANTI-AIRCRAFT ADAPTER FOLDS UP IN FIVE SECONDS.
C-LUNETTE WHICH ENABLES GUN AND MOUNT TO BE TRAILEREDIN ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRING POSITION, LOADED.
E.-AMMUNITION, RESERVE LOAD.
F-TANK SHOULDER REST. (THIS IS UPSIDE DOWN TO NORMAL TANK USAGE)
A-WHEELS DETACHABLE IN THREE SECONDS FOR GROUND USE.
B-ANTI-AIRCRAFT ADAPTER FOLDS UP IN FIVE SECONDS.
C-LUNETTE WHICH ENABLES GUN AND MOUNT TO BE TRAILEREDIN ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRING POSITION, LOADED.
E.-AMMUNITION, RESERVE LOAD.
F-TANK SHOULDER REST. (THIS IS UPSIDE DOWN TO NORMAL TANK USAGE)
Second: It developed an anti-aircraft sight for the Browning gun. several pilot
models of this sight, called the Boyd-Greene sight, are now being manufactured by the Ordnance. A description of it and of its use will be made later.
At present, the Artillery has only a hazy idea of what to do in case of an air attack and has only the poorest equipment with which to do it.
Two heavy Browning machine guns are a part of the equipment of each battery, with three in the combat train. No type of mount is manufactured or authorized by which to adapt these guns to high angle fire. It is true that individual organizations have in some cases made make-shift affairs such as pivot mounts bolted to the rear corner of caisson footboard and trail. None of these gives complete all round high angle fire. They are unsatisfactory from many other causes also, such as non-flexibility and because they are in the way and cut down the efficiency of the gun squad in the firing of the battery.
Tables of Organization provide for no personnel in artillery units to operate the machine guns. Consequently Training Directives allow no time for training of artillerymen in the use of this weapon. As a result, the machine gun can be found in most batteries disassembled and safely packed away in the battery store room.
models of this sight, called the Boyd-Greene sight, are now being manufactured by the Ordnance. A description of it and of its use will be made later.
At present, the Artillery has only a hazy idea of what to do in case of an air attack and has only the poorest equipment with which to do it.
Two heavy Browning machine guns are a part of the equipment of each battery, with three in the combat train. No type of mount is manufactured or authorized by which to adapt these guns to high angle fire. It is true that individual organizations have in some cases made make-shift affairs such as pivot mounts bolted to the rear corner of caisson footboard and trail. None of these gives complete all round high angle fire. They are unsatisfactory from many other causes also, such as non-flexibility and because they are in the way and cut down the efficiency of the gun squad in the firing of the battery.
Tables of Organization provide for no personnel in artillery units to operate the machine guns. Consequently Training Directives allow no time for training of artillerymen in the use of this weapon. As a result, the machine gun can be found in most batteries disassembled and safely packed away in the battery store room.
Photo for ref. only was not in article.
1939 NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES,
STATE OF OREGON, COMPANY "H" 2nd BATTALION, 162nd INFANTRY, PORTLAND OREGON. SCANNED FROM YEARBOOK/PICTORIAL, PAGE 59.
1939 NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES,
STATE OF OREGON, COMPANY "H" 2nd BATTALION, 162nd INFANTRY, PORTLAND OREGON. SCANNED FROM YEARBOOK/PICTORIAL, PAGE 59.
(Craig Johnson collection)
In 1928 and 1929 the writer was fortunate enough in that he was able to observe the work of the Infantry Board in its
experiments in connection with its plans for Infantry anti-aircraft defense. While observing this, several definite ideas
came to mind in connection with the application of these Infantry anti-aircraft tactics and technique to the Light
Artillery. Based upon these ideas, the writer respectfully submits the following suggestions, hoping that they will
prove of some benefit and interest.
1. Adopt the Matthews mount for the Field Artillery anti-aircraft machine guns. (Illustrations 1 and 2. ) Modifications will be necessary in the construction of the trail and lunette as follows: Since it must be hooked to the pintle of a caisson it must have a stronger and larger lunette, and due to the height of a caisson pintle from the ground, the trail of the machine gun cart must be made approximately one yard longer. As the downward thrust on the end of the trail length will in-crease this downward thrust to only about 5 or 10 pounds.
Advantages of the Matthews mount:
(a) When the trail is dropped to ground,it provides a sturdy rigid three point support (wheels and trail) for all types of firing.
(b) Due to the small diameter of wheels, all-round fire can be obtained.
(c) Wheels are instantly and easily detachable (in 3 seconds) for the use of the gun either as a position defense against aircraft or for close defense against ground attack.
(d) Carries six boxes of ammunition (9000 rounds) and a steam condenser can, on the tray bolted to the front of the cart. This amount of ammunition is con-sidered sufficient for normal uses of the gun as an emergency weapon in the Artillery. Extra ammunition would be carried in the combat train.
(e) The anti-aircraft adapter (Illustration No. 1,-B) folds down or up in 5 seconds, thus making it easy to change from an antiaircraft weapon (normal use) to a ground weapon.
(f) The inverted tank shoulder rest provides a firm support for the gunner in high angle fire and permits him to have his hands free while he traverses the gun by moving right or left on his feet, without having to move his upper body or take his eyes off the target.
2. Adopt the Boyd-Greene anti-aircraft sight (See picture of one of the first models attached to the gun in Illustration No. 1. The Ordnance model will be riveted to the water jacket and of more durable construction) This places the line of sighting parallel to, but at a distance of about one foot from the barrel of the gun, thus raising the line of sighting to the level of the gunner's eyes when he is firing at high angles using the shoulder rest. The sight and its use are fully explained in an article in the December, 1929, issue of the Infantry Journal. (story goes on in more detail about sight. Will discuss no further here.)
1. Adopt the Matthews mount for the Field Artillery anti-aircraft machine guns. (Illustrations 1 and 2. ) Modifications will be necessary in the construction of the trail and lunette as follows: Since it must be hooked to the pintle of a caisson it must have a stronger and larger lunette, and due to the height of a caisson pintle from the ground, the trail of the machine gun cart must be made approximately one yard longer. As the downward thrust on the end of the trail length will in-crease this downward thrust to only about 5 or 10 pounds.
Advantages of the Matthews mount:
(a) When the trail is dropped to ground,it provides a sturdy rigid three point support (wheels and trail) for all types of firing.
(b) Due to the small diameter of wheels, all-round fire can be obtained.
(c) Wheels are instantly and easily detachable (in 3 seconds) for the use of the gun either as a position defense against aircraft or for close defense against ground attack.
(d) Carries six boxes of ammunition (9000 rounds) and a steam condenser can, on the tray bolted to the front of the cart. This amount of ammunition is con-sidered sufficient for normal uses of the gun as an emergency weapon in the Artillery. Extra ammunition would be carried in the combat train.
(e) The anti-aircraft adapter (Illustration No. 1,-B) folds down or up in 5 seconds, thus making it easy to change from an antiaircraft weapon (normal use) to a ground weapon.
(f) The inverted tank shoulder rest provides a firm support for the gunner in high angle fire and permits him to have his hands free while he traverses the gun by moving right or left on his feet, without having to move his upper body or take his eyes off the target.
2. Adopt the Boyd-Greene anti-aircraft sight (See picture of one of the first models attached to the gun in Illustration No. 1. The Ordnance model will be riveted to the water jacket and of more durable construction) This places the line of sighting parallel to, but at a distance of about one foot from the barrel of the gun, thus raising the line of sighting to the level of the gunner's eyes when he is firing at high angles using the shoulder rest. The sight and its use are fully explained in an article in the December, 1929, issue of the Infantry Journal. (story goes on in more detail about sight. Will discuss no further here.)